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Dalian Atkinson

I don’t know what I can say about Dalian’s tragic passing that hasn’t already been said. He was a special player who was at Villa at the right time. We almost won the brand new Premier League. We did win the League Cup. We were fun to watch. Sounds crazy, I know, but it’s true and he was a major part of that.

It also happened to be around the time I was being inexorably drawn to Aston Villa. Fair to say he played a major part in that too.

It’s behind the paywall now, but if you have access, I’d recommend Rory Smith’s piece at The Times. Plenty to think about there.

Other recommended links:

• Express & Star: In pictures and video: Dalian Atkinson – Aston Villa legend
• Express & Star: Ron Atkinson pays tribute to former Aston Villa star Dalian Atkinson
• ESPN: Dalian Atkinson will be remembered fondly by Aston Villa fans
• Guardian: IPCC investigation launched into death of Dalian Atikinson
• BBC: Fans’ tribute to Taser death footballer
• Guardian: Dalian Atkinson death raises concerns over police Taser use
• The Villa Blog: Huddersfield tonight, Dalian Atkinson and new player announced tomorrow
• Villa Underground: Report: Excellent Rotherham win offset by sudden Dalian Atkinson death
• 7500 to Holte: Remembering Dalian Atkinson

Premier League International Cup

Fixtures have been announced for the Premier League International Cup. Villa’s U23s are in Group E with Norwich City, Celtic, & Valencia.

• 5th October 2016 – Aston Villa v Valencia (Villa Park)
• 9th November 2016 – Aston Villa v Celtic (Villa Park)
• 5th December 2016 – Norwich City v Aston Villa (Carrow Road)

More on this nearer the time.

Jedinak Signs

A couple of years ago I rather optimistically opined that Chris Herd might become the new Mile Jedinak. That certainly didn’t pan out, but bringing in the real thing, even at 32, more than makes up for that.

Jedinak is the real deal. He plays deep in the middle and can be what some might call combative. I’d say he can play the bastard role. We desperately need a bastard.

He’s joined on a three-year deal for a fee around £4m. His work permit has taken a little longer than is ideal, but he ought to be clear to make his debut against Bristol City.

I can’t wait to see him being a bastard in claret and blue.

For further reading, check out Robert Sutherland’s ESPN Crystal Palace blog on Jedinak’s important role in their journey over the last several years.

Adama Wants To Go, Lescott Isn’t So Keen

Adama Traore has put in a transfer request. This should shock absolutely no one.

I refuse to believe some of the crazier claims about contract details, but it was definitely a weird affair from the beginning. One that should be brought to a speedy end and quickly forgotten about.

Across the internet, assessments of his ability have suddenly become far more realistic. Last season he was capable of single handedly saving us from relegation if only the stupid manager(s) would pick him. Now he just runs very fast with the ball… and loses it a lot.

The truth is somewhere in the middle. He could be pretty good one day somewhere else. Not at Villa though, he was never a good fit for us, and there’s a lesson in there somewhere.

Joleon Lescott had a move to Rangers lined up. He did his medical, everything was apparently moving along as it should. Then it was dead in the water.

Several explanations have surfaced:

• He failed his medical
• They couldn’t agree personal terms
• He didn’t want to move his young family to Glasgow

The first one is hilarious, hahahaha. The second one makes me angry; the greedy money-grubber. The last one requires acknowledging and accepting footballers are human beings subject to the same real life stuff as the rest of us. So we can rule that one out, let’s get back to taking the piss/being angry.

Two Games, Two Draws

Life comes at you fast in this league. Two more games this week:

Aston Villa 1 Huddersfield 1

Ross McCormack got his first Villa goal during a massively dominant first half performance at Villa Park. Unfortunately, despite the dominance, that lead couldn’t be improved.

The visitors may have been much improved after the break, but it took a freak goal last on to grab a point. Gollini’s attempted clearance charged down by Hefele, who had just stepped on the pitch, and the ball rebounded into the net. That’s so Villa.

More information on the match page, a new feature still in development.

Derby County 0 Aston Villa 0

A very strong showing from Villa in the first half once again. Not so much after the break. Again.

We should probably be encouraged by not finding inventive ways to throw away a point in the second half. Derby will be at the sharp end of the table come May, a point here ought to be satisfactory.

However, failure to grab chances and put opponents to the sword remain a persistently tedious theme.

More information on the match page, a new feature still in development.

Upcoming Games

Just the one this coming week. Weird.

Saturday 27th August: Bristol City (A) [Championship]